Cool Temps, Hot Competition Highlight Thursday’s Classes at Fox Lea

While much of the country’s weather went into a deep freeze Thursday, exhibitors at Fox Lea Farm’s Winter Circuit in Venice, Florida, also bundled up as temperatures hit an unseasonable morning low in the 40’s. Sunshine and hot competition made up for the temperatures as the Fox Lea Winter Circuit began the second of its split-combined AQHA and NSBA shows with Trail, over fence, Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation classes.

Nicole Kuklinski, of Ironwood, Michigan, rode Dancin In My Sleep to win the NSBA portion of Amateur Hunter Under Saddle.

“It’s just our second time to show in the Amateur division. It’s a lot different than showing in Youth,” Kuklinski said. Although they are tackling a new division, Kuklinski and ‘Carl’ have been showing together for a few years.

“It’s our fourth year to show together,” she said of the gelding by Too Sleepy To Zip. “I love his personality. He always tries for me, and he’s just easy. We’ll be learning to show in the Amateur division this year. I hope we can continue to be as successful in the Amateur division has we have been in Youth!”

Victory was sweet for the Sweet Shop’s Barbara Johnson, who won the NSBA portion of Select Amateur Hunter Under Saddle with Best Be Sweet. “We just bought him in August, and the Congress was our first real show together,” Johnson said.

“I’ve never had a horse before that was so much fun to show. He is so easy. Once I’ve figured out how to cue him, you just cue him and he goes out and does it. We’re still figuring each other out.”

Trisha Robertson showed Rock What You Got to win NSBA Level 1 (Green) Hunter Under Saddle, showing for owner Olivia Hoecker of Reddick, FL, while Kelsey Sybert and Signing In won AQHA and NSBA Level 1 (Novice) Amateur Hunter Under Saddle.

To read the full article on NSBA.com, click here.